Owls, Eagles, Hawks and Falcons at The Gardens

I spent several hours this morning at Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens where they were holding a falconry event.

The photos aren't that sharp but I had a lot of fun experimenting and practising with the 70 - 300 mm lens!

This is "Woody" - a male Asian Brown Wood Owl (SE Asia) hatched in 2010. All the birds on display and taking part in the flights are captive bred.





"Scratchy" - a male Gyr x Saker Falcon Hybrid (hatched in 2008)





"Tock" - a female Harris Hawk - hatched 2004 (native to Central and Southern America)



"Bazil" a male Bengal Eagle Owl hatched in 1996 (native to India, Nepal, Pakistan)



"Tosca" - a female Steppe Eagle (Native to Central Asia) Hatched 2001



"Slate" - a Gyr x Peregrine Falcon Hybrid - hatched 2004





Here's a few photos from the hour long flying display. Didn't have much luck taking birds in flight - the speed of the birds was playing havoc with the autofocus so most of the photos were only fit for the delete button! Need to re-read the manual!

"Tock"







"Bazil" who preferred walking to flying!








"Buzz" - Common Kestrel





"Woody"



"Scratch"



Hopefully, I've got the birds' names and species correct - I lost half my notes!

It was a shame I couldn't be there for the second flying display with the remaining four birds at 3.30 but I had other arrangements (oh yes, top of the Premiership :D)!

Hopefully, Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens will hold a similar event next year - I will certainly return as it really was a super experience and brilliant for children as the flying display was very interactive.